HGTV How-To: Make Seed Tape (It Saves Time and Seeds!)

Today’s officially the first day of spring and I’m completely and utterly…speechless. Why? Because here in Knoxville, Tenn., where HGTV headquarters are located, we skipped winter. No snow days, no brutal freezes, just some typical cold weather. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not complaining, just a little shocked that my favorite season is actually here! If you’re ready to welcome spring with open arms, then we have a project that will get you in the mood for all the gardening you’ll be doing in just a few weeks.

With this seed tape project you can create the perfect arrangement and plant seeds exactly where you want them. This is a great way to get the little ones involved in the garden, too. Find out how:

Measure out a length of toilet paper, determine the spacing of your planting row and cut lengthwise accordingly. Consult the seed packet to determine how far apart the seeds should be planted, and then use a marker to mark the seed spacing on the paper. Add a dab of all-purpose glue on each mark. Pour the seeds on a plate and separate. Use tweezers to pick up an individual seed and place on each drop of glue.

Once all the seeds have been placed and the glue has dried, roll the seed tape onto a toilet paper roll. Store the rolled seed tapes in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to plant.

If your containers are ready, you can plant your seed tape immediately. To plant the seed tape, simply lay it on the soil surface and cover with garden soil according to the depth recommended by the seed packet. Firm the soil, and then water with a fine nozzle, like that on a watering can. Get the Full Step-by-Step Instructions Here >>

Need some more ideas for fun projects you can do with the whole family? Head over to the HGTV Family Gardening Club. Plus, score some free expert gardening tips and top-notch plant advice at HGTV’s brand new gardening site HGTV Gardens.

Is anyone else ready to welcome spring? What garden projects are you planning this season? Tell us below!

OMG! Briliant indeed. However, it's actually a bit too pedestrian for me. I mark out a spacing grid on the toilet tissue with color coded highlighters and pre-calculate Southern exposure…marked on each "tape". Instead of tweezers, I use sterilized forceps, wearing non latex and powder free gloves. I align all seed with North/South and number and name(after ex girlfriends) each seed. If I won't be planting the Seed TP soon, I will also add a sprinkle of glitter and cinnamon scented oil to the roll. It's very pretty sitting on the shelf next to my garden scrapbooks. If you want to take it one step further, you don't even have to fertilize…IF you use the right toilet paper. The kind that resembles high-maintenance craft ideas for the inane.

While depositing one's seed on toilet paper is indeed a brilliant and original concept, I worry that by naming your seeds after ex girlfriends, these nascent lifeforms will take on a negative aura. Love lost or unrequited is hardly the proper chi to project upon your future plants. I burn sticks of nag champa incense and perform a Tuuvan throat singing ceremony, and name my seeds after aspects of the goddess shiva. I find that this improves the vigor of my seed stock. It has worked well for me.

Kayla KittsKayla Kitts is an editor for HGTV.com and co-editor-in-chief of Design Happens. Kayla is an overbearing cat mom with a love for vintage-modern furniture, decor with a past, artisan cocktails,...